Virginia Sumner (33) Passes Away

 

    Virginia Lee Houck Sumner was born near Delia, Kansas. She attended High Prairie Country School through the 8th grade and graduated from high school in Rossville, Kansas in 1933. She attended nurses training at the Topeka, Kansas hospital. She married Melvin (Ted) Sumner August 3, 1933. After the birth of her son, Teddy in 1936, the small family moved off the family farm near Delia, Kansas, to Topeka, Kansas where daughter, Phyllis was born in 1940. Following World War Two, the family relocated to Hereford, Texas and began a custom harvesting business, working in the wheat harvest until 1986.
    Virginia was very active in the Hereford community as a 4-H, Cub Scout, Brownie, and Girl Scout leader. She was also very active in her church as a Sunday School teacher. Member of Kingswood Methodist Church, Amarillo and former member of First Christian Church, Hereford.
    She was a 50-year member of the Cultural Extension Club. She was named Deaf Smith County Club Woman of the Year in 2002. Virginia also volunteered at the Senior Citizens, serving, and delivering meals to the community.
    Virginia and her husband, Ted, moved to Amarillo in 1995 to be closer to family. She continued to be active and volunteered with her daughter at Sundown Lane Elementary School as a reading recovery tutor. She crocheted lap blankets for seniors and the homeless. Staying active, she attended Silver Sneakers classes at Gold's Gym where she held the title of oldest exerciser.
    Virginia "Nanie" Sumner was an incredibly lovely person inside and out. She adapted to each new generation with love and acceptance and will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know and love her. Memorials can be made in her honor to Ceta Canyon Retreat Center.
    Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Howard, and Elizabeth Houck, husband, Melvin (Ted) Sumner, son, Ted Sumner, daughter-in-law, Jeri Sumner and son-in-law, Larry Boston.    Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Phyllis Boston, Amarillo, brothers: Wendell and wife, Lana Houck, Leroy Houck and John and wife, Marjorie Houck, all living in California. Grandchildren: Paul Boston and wife Cristie, OKC, Lori Grimes and husband Tim, Amarillo, Calvin Boston and wife Tammy, Amarillo, Lance Sumner, Springfield, Virginia and Tracey Sumner, Amarillo. Great grandchildren: Taylor Boston, Maddison Freas, Michael Tracy, Elizabeth Tracy, Joshua Sumner, and Rochelle Sumner and a great, great, grandchild Ellie Tracy.